The exchange of Dmitry Orlov to Boston is a shock not only for the defender himself, who spent 11 seasons in a club from the US capital, but also for the fans and teammates of the Russian. There is no doubt that this news upset Alexander Ovechkin, who was accompanied by compatriots throughout his overseas career, and together with Orlov they won the Stanley Cup. Of course, the exchange of a friend doesn’t compare to the death of his father, which Ovi also experienced recently, but it’s still a shock. And how did other Russian friends of Alexander the Great leave Washington? Let’s remember all cases.
Sergei Fedorov (2007-2009)
Victor Kozlov (2007 — 2009)
Today, these two coach teams in the KHL. Sergei Fedorov has already won the Gagarin Cup with CSKA, and Viktor Kozlov is only on his way to make Ufa fans happy. However, that one, that the other spent two seasons side by side with Ovechkin. They came almost at the same time and left Washington at the same time. Fedorov and Kozlov were already veterans by the standards NHL, but still helped the “capital”. And Fedorov even played on the line with Ovechkin at the same legendary world championship in Quebec. We united two ex-teammates Ovi also because they left in the same direction. In Russia, the KHL was just gaining momentum, our clubs generously paid for stars, even the elderly, and the idea of confrontation with the NHL did not look so utopian yet. So Kozlov and Fedorov succumbed to the charm of a hockey startup. Victor landed in Ufa, and Sergei in Magnitogorsk. “I have a negative attitude towards their departure. We already managed to become friends, so it was a little insulting. However, this is their choice and I have no right to condemn them.Alexander then said.
Semyon Varlamov (2008-2011)
Ovechkin was also friends with a goalkeeper from Russia. Varlamov came to the US capital after he was selected in the draft in the first round, and he himself brought his native Lokomotiv to the final. However, in the NHL, things were not easy at first. Semyon fought for a place in the line-up, sometimes he gave out cool matches, but microtraumas constantly interfered with him. And against the backdrop of inflated expectations from the game of the Russian, there was a corresponding pressure on him. And in 2011, Washington decided to exchange to Colorado, although Varlamov had an option with SKA. “Well, he left for another team, but this will not affect our communication. He knows that we are friends. It doesn’t matter what team he’s on. On the contrary, he will be the first goalkeeper there, it is important for him. Since Washington did this, it means they think it’s good for the team. We traded Varlamov for a first two round pick for next year, plus we took Vokoun. I think the exchange is very competent “, – Ovechkin commented on the deal. Indeed, with Braden Holtby cleared by the bosses, the Capitals won the Cup and Varlamov got practice in Denver.
Alexander Semin (2006-2012)
Before Orlov left Washington, the most painful parting for Ovechkin was with Alexander Semin. He arrived in the US capital just a year after Ovi’s debut and played with him for six years. And, mostly, in one link. Probably, only with Niklas Backstrom did Alexander the Great have closer ties. Such a technical and subtle player as Semin perfectly complemented the powerful punchy Ovechkin. Their divorce happened against the background of the fact that Semin felt slighted. They began to put him less often in one link with a friend and the captain, laborers became his partners, and playing time was reduced. Then Alexander and his agent decided to look for happiness on the side and found him in Carolina. The price of happiness is $7 million a year. “I liked playing with Semin. But like I said before, it’s a business. This is hockey… It’s time to move on. The team will not grieve and weep over his departure. Although, of course, I am sad that I lost a friend, partner and just a great hockey player. However, who knows what might happen in the future? – Ovechkin hoped for a new meeting, but in all subsequent years they played in the same team only once, at the Sochi Olympics.
Ilya Samsonov (2018-2022)
A little longer than Varlamov, another Russian goalkeeper stayed in Washington. Like Semyon, Ilya Samsonov was chosen by the Capitals in the first round of the draft. They also counted on him, brought him to the role of the first number. And even the reasons for parting were similar. But if Varlamov’s health problems were natural, then Samsonov’s were partly man-made. What is his careless fall from an ATV worth, after which, by his own admission, he could end his career. One way or another, they were disappointed in Ilya and did not even begin to offer a new contract. The Capitals didn’t get anything from Toronto, which picked up our goaltender, and now they probably regret it. “It’s a pity that he didn’t manage to gain a foothold in the squad. I believe that Elijah will be fine. He is a wonderful talented guy. But I’m not a general manager, and I can’t solve any problems in terms of composition. ”, – said Ovechkin, for whom Samsonov is more likely not a friend, but a younger brother. The unlucky brother, whom he could not save from stupid mistakes in his career.
Ilya Kovalchuk (2020)
Like Kozlov and Fedorov, Ilya Kovalchuk came to Washington in the status of a veteran, already at the end of his career. During the 2019/2020 season, he changed three teams, and went to the playoffs with his close friend. Kovi and Ovi used to play only for the Russian national team, and they could not miss the chance to be in the same club. However, Ilya’s capital career turned out to be short-lived: seven games in the regular season and eight more in the playoffs. There was no special chemistry between him and the captain of Washington, and old comrades occasionally crossed paths on the ice. Kovalchuk’s departure after the end of the season was hardly a shock to Ovechkin. Rather, it is worth talking about disappointment from the unfulfilled beautiful story of winning the second cup. But after leaving the Capitals, Ilya won the cup at home, in Russia. He became a key element in the championship backbone of Avangard.
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